Houston restaurant and bar news bites of the week

Hunter Pence, pictured with his wife, Alexis, is opening a gamer-focused coffee shop in Houston.

Hunter Pence, pictured with his wife, Alexis, is opening a gamer-focused coffee shop in Houston.

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Hunter Pence is collaborating with Greenway Coffee Company to open a new coffee shop in Houston.

Hunter Pence is collaborating with Greenway Coffee Company to open a new coffee shop in Houston.

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Julep owner Alba Huerta

Julep owner Alba Huerta

Photo: Julie Soefer

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Julep owner Alba Huerta making a cocktail at her new bar on Washington.

Julep owner Alba Huerta making a cocktail at her new bar on Washington.

Photo: Julie Soefer

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Esquire praised Julep on Washington Avenue.

Esquire praised Julep on Washington Avenue.

Photo: Julie Soefer Photography

Houston restaurant and bar news bites of the week

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Pence to open gamer-focused coffee shop in Houston

Former Houston Astros player Hunter Pence and his wife, Alexis, are partnering with Greenway Coffee Co.'s David Buehrer, among others, to open Coral Sword: Coffee, Comics & Games at 1318 Telephone. Collaborators in the caffeine-infused gamer hub also include "Comic Book Men" star Ming Chen and barista Sanford Bledsoe III.

It will feature a gaming bar, where pros and developers can train gamers on recently released games, as well as a podcast booth and a "co-gaming" space that can be reserved for workshops and tournaments.

To eat, guests might graze on savory treats influenced by gamer food, as well as offerings from Morningstar, the Heights coffee and doughnut shop co-owned by Buehrer. An edited selection of beer and wine also will be available.

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"Coffee and gaming are two of my favorite off-the-field activities," said Pence, who currently plays for the San Francisco Giants. "I'm excited about creating a space that combines the two."

Coral Sword is expected to open in September.

National praise for Washington Corridor bar

Julep has claimed a coveted spot on Esquire magazine's Best New Bars in America list. Owner Alba Huerta opened the Southern cocktail bar at 1919 Washington in 2014. "Julep has reverence for the past yet manages to serve elegant, unpretentious drinks," writes Esquire's Jason Tesauro, who also praised the bar's design details, as well as julep and Ramos gin fizz cocktails.